Recently I fell into a crazy love-fest for Sierra balls! viz. Paton's Sierra 8ply (and just so you know, Chunkys too 😍). And mixed with the emotions of desiring to do some Tunisian crochet, some Mosaic Crochet, and dealing with the general rise in temperatures as our winter moves into spring ... this is how and why "Sierra Spring Top" came into being.
Sierra Spring Top (CH0541)
FEATURES
TECHNICAL FEATURES
short cropped, short sleeved top
comfy wear for cooler days
Tunisian Crochet "Easy Rib"
TSS (Tunisian Simple Stitch) in 3 colours (yoke)
a bit of Mosaic Crochet
a play with my Sierra balls!
Level: easy
There isn't a pattern for this as I was as usual, winging it. The photos below may be somewhat helpful though. I must say there was quite a bit of frogging ... but then again, all par for the course. 🙂
Materials & Specifications
(See "Lessons Learnt" below for future modifications)
Approx. Size:
Sm (AU size 8 / UK 8 / US 4/ EU 34)
Yarn:
Any DK/8 ply
(• Patons Sierra "Nevada"; • Stylecraft 8 ply; • King Cole, Drifter, For Baby; •Dazzle, Heirloom, 8ply)
Crochet Technique/Stitch:
• Tunisian crochet 'Easy Rib (YouTube by "Knitting My Hobby")' - Mul.of 2 (for in the round)
• TSS (Tunisian Simple St) - using 3 colours
• Mosaic Crochet
Crochet Terminology:
American & Crochet Symbols
Level:
Intermediate
~ familiar with basic Tunisian crochet, Mosaic Crochet, reading Mosaic Crochet charts
Manufacturer's Recommended Needle/Hook Size:
4mm
Hooks Used:
• Tunisian Crochet hook: 5mm
• Crochet Hook: 4mm
Number of Colours:
3 (A,B,C)
Graph sizes (in squares):
(please refer to graphs below)
Final Size:
as above
Final Nett Wt (approx.):
- -
Care:
Gentle machine wash. Squeeze (not wring) out water. Roll in dry towel to absorb more moisture. Dry flat.
GAUGE (approx.)
[10×10 sq] = [-- cm ]
Status: n/a ℋ(not sure. Auc?)
How-To Notes and Steps
Started with this rough draft.
This is the sequence I worked.
• 1) Tunsian 'Easy Rib'. Requires mul of 2 sts.
(see YT video by Knitting My Hobby).
• 2) pick up and work Mosaic Crochet
• 3) yoke in TSS (* because the Tunisian 'Easy Rib' for the main body is worked in round), using 3 yarns (so no cutting and messing tails after every row)
• 4) Sleeves, worked separately. Tunisian 'Easy Rib', same as main body. Worked in round.
• 5) Mosaic Crochet - sleeves band
• Collar: pick up. Worked in round in Tunisian 'Easy Rib'
• join sleeves. Neaten
Colour combos I considered for the main body.
Note: The Tunisian Easy Rib does not have to worked only in the round; it can also be generally worked in the flat. But it is definitely only in the round that I can work continuously (without the hassle of cutting and dealing with messy tails) and still get the ribbed effect I was going for.
I used the double ended Tunisian hook/cable so that the fwd pass uses one colour; and the return pass uses another. However that was not possible to work the "yoke" in this stitch for the same effect, without having to endure the endless cuts & tails.
⓵ Body (tube)
R0/A: MM Caston 140 sts. Join to start. R1 a+b: normal tunisian foundation (A: fwd pass; B: rtn pass) R2, etc,: in Tunisian 'Easy Rib'... up to 20 or 22 cm
Put the work on hold; ensuring you don't drop any stitches.
Optional: at this stage, one can continue straight to the ⓷ yoke before doing the hem-border.
⓶ Hem Border
Using this graph for the Mosaic Crochet on the Hem
(This was from another of my designs where it was used for the collar.)
To make the Hem Border (in Mosaic Crochet), with 4mm hook, pick up and crochet from the body's foundation row.
{1sc blo, 1 fpdc (around "raised v-rib")}*
To finish off the edging of the Hem Border, work a final round of Twisted SC .
yoke
⓷ Yoke
This area is worked flat (not in the round): TSS (Tunisian Simple Stitch) using 3 colours.
This consecutive 3-colours means that I don't have messy cut ends and tails to deal it.
And it also creates an interesting look for the fabric.
The 3 colours used for the yoke:
• this King Cole
• a pale pink yarn (bamboo or acrylic)
• the Sierra "Nevada"
R'ber: "a" and "b" suffix to Row notation indicated fwd pass, and rtn pass respectively in my Tunisian crochet
R25 a&b: 17 TSS R26a (fwd pass): 17 TSS;
36 stitches (on stitch holder);
other shoulder: 17 TSS
Then you will be working each should separately. R26b (rtn pass): 17 TSS (rtn) on each shoulder
Showing front and pieces done. They need to be joined before we can proceed with collar band.
⓸ (SHORT) SLEEVES
• worked in the round. 66 sts / 44cm.
• Tunisian 'Easy Rib'
• cols: Sierry "Nevada", + Pale Pink
4mm Hook, MM caston 66 sts. R0: std. Tunisian foundation set up (fwd + rtn pass) R1-17: Tunisian 'Easy Rib' in the round
(apprx. 12-14cm)
Cut the contrast col (pale pink).
66 slst in MC (main col)
⓹ Sleeve Border in Mosaic Crochet
• cols: Sierra "Nevada", + Dazzle Heirloom, Dk Red
Foundation Row to start the Mosaic Crochet for the Sleeve Border.
In MC (main col. - Sierra): {1scblo, 1 fpdc}*
(fpdc around the "v" rib of the sleeve)
Then work the Mosaic Crochet as per graph.
Finish Sleeve Edging with
• round of sc blo
• round of twisted sc
Both sleeves done.
Joining Pieces, Collar Band, and Finishing Garment
Neaten/weave in all loose ends/tails.
Shoulder Seams: flat sl st to join shoulder seams.
Neckline
Top chain all round neckline as base for start of banded neckline.
Use Tunisian hook. Pick up stitches around neckline. Note: may have to decrease, esp. at 'corners' to ensure a more fitting collar band that will sit flat.
Tunisian 'Easy Rib' for banded collar. (apprx. 4cm)
Then Tunisian cast off with slst.
For a more professional edging, work a round of (non-Tunisian) {1scblo, 1fpdc}*
Then a round of slst (relaxed hand) to finish off the collar band.
Next, we will be ready to attach sleeves to body.
Sew Sleeves to Body
Here I have sewn with the invisible join/seam.
Showing Sleeves neatly sewn to body.
Close-ups
lessons
Lessons Learnt
I didn't quite like the fit of this top. Not for me anyway. I think it would suit a AU size 8 very well. (What I once used to be. Sigh! 🥲)
So if I ever made this again, this are the measurements I will go for ...see the major modification measurements in pink. CH0541 - maybe a larger & longer size?
